FMCG stocks remained under pressure in 2026, with the sector index declining 10% year-to-date amid geopolitical disruptions and inflationary pressures. Most major names, including ITC, Dabur and Godrej Consumer Products saw sharp declines, while Hindustan Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive showed relative resilience.
India’s residential real estate market remained strong in Q2 2026, with housing sales across the top nine cities rising 19% year-on-year and new launches surging 43%. Southern and western markets led growth, reflecting sustained buyer demand and continued developer confidence despite global uncertainties.
As fixed deposit rates dip, investors are turning to high-rated PSU and corporate bonds for better returns. Improved retail access and regulatory reforms are making these instruments more appealing. Experts highlight that while yields are attractive, understanding credit ratings, security, cash flows, and liquidity is crucial for investors to differentiate between genuine opportunities and potential risks. This marks a significant shift towards the financialization of fixed income in India.
Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said the latest US inflation data shows some improvement in services inflation, but underlying price pressures remain elevated. He stressed inflation is still the main concern over labour market strength. He reiterated data dependence on policy decisions, highlighting tariffs and energy costs as temporary inflation drivers.
Foreign investors have withdrawn over $60 billion from Indian equities, prompting concerns that retail investors are funding their exits. However, AMFI CEO Venkat N. Chalasani argues this demonstrates market maturity, attracting future foreign investment. He highlights how domestic mutual funds, particularly SIPs, have absorbed volatility, providing crucial liquidity and resilience, a positive sign for market development.
South Korean stocks experienced a significant downturn on Friday, marking their steepest weekly decline in over three months. This slump was triggered by a sell-off in U.S. tech shares, prompting investors to cash in on recent gains. The Kospi index saw a sharp drop, even triggering a circuit breaker. Concerns over AI spending and who will bear the costs weighed heavily on the market, overshadowing positive demand signals.
US Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady at its July meeting despite inflation hitting a three-year high. Markets see a possible pause now, but still price in a higher chance of a rate hike in September as core inflation remains elevated.
The US economy showed stronger growth than initially thought in the first quarter, reaching an annual rate of 2.1 percent. This upward revision was largely due to a decrease in imports, which positively impacts GDP calculations. Key drivers of this expansion included investments, exports, government spending, and consumer spending, with the booming Artificial Intelligence sector playing a significant role.
US unemployment claims saw a sharper-than-expected drop last week, signaling continued labor market strength. Despite this positive sign, a rise in continuing claims suggests employers are cautious about hiring, potentially impacting job seekers, especially recent graduates facing competition from AI. The median unemployment duration has also lengthened, indicating a tougher job search for many.
Asian markets saw a dip, led by a pullback in heavyweight chip stocks after a strong rally. US futures remained steady following a volatile session on Wall Street, where tech giants like Apple experienced significant declines. Investors are closely watching the sustainability of high tech valuations amid concerns over AI spending and potential interest rate adjustments by the Federal Reserve.
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